Scottish Parliament on February 25th, approved the first stage of a landmark legislature for the free provision of feminine hygiene products.
If passed in its entirety, the 'Period Products (Free Provision) Bill' will establish Scotland as the first nation to freely provide tampons and sanitary pads to those who need it.
In 2019, Scotland became the first country in the world to offer free period products to students at all levels of education 💙 But that was just the start.. Today, a bill has passed in the Scottish Parliament to make period products free to everyone 💪 #ScotlandIsNow pic.twitter.com/Xxptd3HpuX
— Scotland Is Now 🏴 (@Scotland) February 25, 2020
The Scottish government estimated that the Bill as drafted, could cost roughly USD 31 million per year to implement the universal scheme.
The bill submitted by Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Monica Lennon on April 23, 2019, was passed through the first stage of three stages by a vote of 112-0.
The Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Communities Committee, Aileen Campbell, stated that "regulations will be brought forward to place a duty on local authorities to provide products in schools from the next academic year" and to collaborate with clinicians to determine how "people with medical issues such as endometriosis are able to access period products by prescription".
“Scotland is leading the world in improving period dignity and I am determined to continue that work in a way that will improve the lives of people across Scotland".
In a global first, Scotland introduced free period products in schools, colleges and universities.
"Due to our world-leading action, over half a million people have access to free period products for the first time ever".
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